Fluor is responsible for the EPC of the Balance of Plant (BOP) for the 500- MW Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm Project. The project will feature 140 wind turbines, each having a rated capacity of 3.6 MW. The turbines will be mounted on a steel monopile and transition piece in water depths between 24 and 34 meters. Three 132-kilovolt (kV) subsea cables will bring the power ashore to the new substation. This project will produce the first offshore wind farm to be built outside the country’s territorial waters.
Fluor began onshore construction in 2008; offshore construction commenced in summer 2009. The first turbines will be operational in late 2009, with all 140 turbines to be completed by late 2010.
The project requires 84,000 tons of monopiles (steel tubes) which are on average about 62 meters in length and 600 tons in weight. The monopiles will be driven about 30 meters into the seabed. Connecting the monopiles and the turbine towers are 35,500 tons of transition pieces, each weighing about 230 tons, and standing as tall as a four-story building.
This project demonstrates Fluor’s capability to work closely and in partnership with our clients in developing projects from concept to realization. The project was the first of the U.K.’s two Round Two offshore wind farm facilities to move into the construction phase. Fluor is applying its major infrastructure and offshore expertise and resources to assist Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Ltd make a meaningful contribution to the U.K. Government’s renewable targets. This project is consistent with Fluor’s strategy of applying our engineering and technical expertise to enable our clients to reduce carbon emissions and increase the supply of green energy.